I’ve known my boyfriend for about 7 months now and we’ve been dating for about 4. The topic of my reborns has never come up because I’ve had them packed away for a while and I haven’t thought about them in a long time. I usually only paint in the summertime and since I wasn’t into them I honestly never thought about telling him because I wasn’t painting and didn’t use them at all while we’ve been together. Now with summer approaching I am itching to do some painting. He knows I love crafts and being creative but I’m just not sure how to tell him about reborns. He has a younger sister that was somewhat into dolls but he was kind of horrified the other day when his mom was telling us about a doll she had growing up where you could pull the hair so it “grows”. He’s always been very supportive and tells me I should speak my mind more but I’m just not sure how to approach sharing the reborns with him. Any suggestions?
I’d start by telling him you’re an artist and then explain what art you do. Tell him about reborns and how beneficial they are as therapy dolls, particularly with Alzheimer’s patients. That takes some of the ‘creepy’ out of it. He might think they’re amazing. Show him a couple of pictures after you explain them and see how he reacts. Whatever you do, don’t give up reborning for anyone else. If he doesn’t like them, that’s his problem to deal with. I had one of those dolls with hair that ‘grew’. I loved it.
Just say something like “I used to paint these dolls a while back, I wanna get back into it”. If he’s not fully into it, that’s fine. But if he’s mean about it and tries to stop you, don’t let him.
Luckily my boyfriend already knew I painted reborns before he came to my house. Because I’ve got dolls all over my living room! He’s not into dolls, himself, but he is happy for me and doesn’t mind them being everywhere.
I love painting and am proud of my work. He could either like it with me or just not look. His choice. If and how much I paint would not be.
Just tell him.
If he is judgemental and gives you a hard time, take this as a warning because you will see it this in other areas of your relationship.
Most likely he will either think it’s cool or just not mind at all. Hope that is the case for you.
Mine bought my first supplies and kits for me to get started. He does not like to hold them, but he does show people puctures of them. He admits they give him the creeps, but he s proud of my artistry. I am working up the nerve to go out with one and hand out business cards at some of the local craft/artisan markets here. He is supportive and I love him all the more for giving me the space to be myself.
My husband is the same. Proud of me and my work, but he wouldn’t hold one !
I began reborning about ten years after we were married. My husband is totally supportive. He is glad that I can use my artistic interests with these dolls. He encourages me to be me. That is what you want in a relationship. I can’t agree more with the others that have said if a guy doesn’t accept you, then they aren’t the right person and a negative attitude against your hobby will show up in other areas of the relationship. You want someone who will accept you for you, and I hope that is the kind of guy he is.
If he’s not supportive maybe he’s not the one for you. Maybe you could ask him if he thought his sister would like a doll for Christmas. Tell him you make them and would like to make one for her. It’s ART! Have any of you had a boyfriend or husband that was totally against your making dolls? My husband knows it keeps me home and happy.
I’m curious to know his reaction. Will you let us know?
The boyfriends ive had in the past think the reborns i painted were great…they were very supportive. I met my current boyfriend thrru the reborn community years ago and this month marks 4 months that we have been together. A lot of ladies on here will know who he is as he produces very beautiful mohair and alpaca. He actually wants me to teach him how to paint babies.
If your bf doesnt like the dolls thats no problem but he shouldnt have a problem with you painting them if its something that makes you happy. Let him know that this is another form of beautiful art.
Thank you everyone for sharing and your words of encouragement. I have no doubt he will be supportive, just a little worried he may be weirded out! Many family members of mine have mentioned the uncanny valley phenomenon so I’m suspecting it will be similar. But I’m totally okay with him not getting it. He’s not into dolls and that’s fine. I know there aren’t many guys in this hobby. Just wasn’t sure how to approach the topic. I’ll start bringing it up slowly and let y’all know how it goes.
Maybe, at first, but he will probably get used to it and he won’t be bothered any more.